The All-Pro defensive tackle recently became a free agent and he would be a great addition to the defense of the Minnesota Vikings in 2019.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Minnesota Vikings are pretty much set for 2019. But at the same time, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has never been one to shy away from adding another weapon to his defense.
Recently, All-Pro defensive tackle Gerald McCoy was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he is now a free agent. If there was some way that the Vikings could figure out how to create enough cap space to sign him, it is certainly something they should consider.
As it stands right now though, Minnesota has around $1 million in cap space. Certainly not enough to convince McCoy to sign since it’s highly unlikely that he is going to agree to a cheap, team-friendly deal for anyone in 2019.
In order to add the former Bucs defensive tackle, the Vikings would probably have to figure out how to create at least $10 million in cap space. Then they would have enough to sign McCoy and head into the season with a little extra money for injuries.
Minnesota’s front office has worked their salary cap magic multiple times in the recent past. But creating enough space to add McCoy may prove to be too difficult for even the Vikings’ cap gurus to figure out.
But let’s just say Minnesota did end up signing the free agent defensive tackle. With McCoy lined up as their 3-technique in 2019, the Vikings would be getting a player who is one of only 11 NFL defensive tackles to finish each of the last three seasons with at least 35 quarterback pressures.
Minnesota did sign free agent Shamar Stephen this offseason to play on the interior of their defensive line in 2019. However, McCoy would be a huge upgrade over Stephen as the Vikings’ other defensive tackle next to Linval Joseph.
Last year, Minnesota had a ferocious defensive line with Sheldon Richardson lining up on the inside next to Joseph. Pairing McCoy and their veteran nose tackle would likely be even more of a lethal combination than it was last season with Richardson as the Vikings’ 3-technique.
Still, this all just a pipe dream as Minnesota can barely afford a ham sandwich due to their current cap situation. One can dream though, can’t they?